Yes, they are a very good place to start. It will wow the **** out of you if you're coming from consumer-grade equipment and it will definitely give you a strong foothold in the hobby. Without the M50 I wouldn't be here right now, I'm glad it was my first good headphone.

Well, put it this way. I've never owned headphones worth more than £5..

You know you're an audiophile when people ask you what the heck is that you're carrying? And you have to explain to them that its your "portable" Digital Audio Player. I get asked by the local folks here that quite often. Whenever I meet new people when walking into some place they don't even ask my name, they just ask "what is that?" with a look of curiosity while pointing to my dap.

I can imagine walking around with an E17 and people shouting at you for not 'just buying an iPhone'. *Facepalm*

You know, someone should make a backpack to put red wine audio system in, carry a portable power pack in a gym bag (of course, with holes for cables to the amp) and wear audezes of choice. Well, either that or Jecklins.

You know you're an audiophile when people ask you what the heck is that you're carrying? And you have to explain to them that its your "portable" Digital Audio Player. I get asked by the local folks here that quite often. Whenever I meet new people when walking into some place they don't even ask my name, they just ask "what is that?" with a look of curiosity while pointing to my dap.

I can imagine walking around with an E17 and people shouting at you for not 'just buying an iPhone'. *Facepalm*

The E7 looks more like an iPhone than the E17 since the whole front face is reflective plastic(?). I sometimes fool myself into thinking it's an iPhone 4.

Well, put it this way. I've never owned headphones worth more than £5..

Well, you're in for quite a treat, then. You'll immediately notice how much more detailed and spacious the M50 is than what you're used to. You'll also notice the sub bass, which is unusually present on them. Kick drums really come alive. It's a quality I miss in my other headphones.

Well, put it this way. I've never owned headphones worth more than £5..

Well, you're in for quite a treat, then. You'll immediately notice how much more detailed and spacious the M50 is than what you're used to. You'll also notice the sub bass, which is unusually present on them. Kick drums really come alive. It's a quality I miss in my other headphones.

The M50 doesn't have sub-bass, it's mostly midbass and rolls off at the rock bottom end.

Still has a better low end than most in its price range though, and its very likable.

In my case, this has largely been true this year. With the exception of one person (a fellow Head-Fier ironically), all of my gifts this year are audio-related. I wouldn't call it mania though. I just happen to know that they all listen with crap gear, and I'm performing errands of mercy.

I was going to do that.. but I wanted to spend some $$$ on headphones for myself too